With its move to two halls within the new Singapore Expo, PALME Asia sales manager, Hanslee Azhar, sees huge advantages in returning to the island. "There are a number of positive factors," he said, "but essentially Singapore Expo can accommodate the growth of the show and its expanding number of features, since we have grown 30% from last year."
At the same time, he says, it is an opportunity for exhibitors to take advantage of the highly-lucrative market in South-east Asia. "Although the show has historically rotated its location the political stability and prosperity of Singapore makes it the favourite destination.
"We have found that 80% of exhibitors prefer Singapore to host this show as we have one of the most reasonable taxation duties in Asia, and the economy is booming, particularly in the resort business."
This is highlighted, he says, by the integrated resort at Marina Bay by Las Vegas-based Sands, which will provide a major boost for tourism. "There are a lot of other developments in the planning stages, and property prices here have skyrocketed," he said.
(Jim Evans)
